GPS ENG: God Always Gives Us a Way Out — 2

READ:

Today’s passage has incredible news about what God’s character is really like and what the most valuable gift He has given us is. Let’s read James 1:16–18.

Observe:

• What does James warn us not to do?

• We know that temptation does not come from God, but what does come from God?

• How does James describe God?

• What did He do by His own will?

• Through whom did He do this?

• We are the “____________” of His creation.

Discover:

In what we have read so far in James, we remember that he has talked to us about perseverance, wisdom, poverty, wealth, and temptation. Now he gives us this warning: “Do not be deceived.” Why do you think he gives this warning?

James is saying, in essence: Do not misunderstand God. Trials and temptation can cause us to misunderstand God. Our circumstances are not the measure of God’s goodness.

Then, in verse 17, he continues by saying that every good and perfect gift comes from God. Do you remember? What difference do you see between what comes from our sinful desires and what comes from God?

Not allowing ourselves to be deceived is important because, in those days, people who believed in pagan gods, such as Zeus, or in the stars and fortune, viewed their gods as unpredictable. One day they might bless people, and the next day they might punish them simply because they felt like it.

James completely breaks with this cultural idea: the true God is a constant and good source. He is more powerful than any false god. He is the Creator of the lights, such as the moon, the stars, and the sun. Everything belongs to Him.

The most beautiful thing is knowing that this good, generous, powerful, and constant God, by His own will, gives us the opportunity to be born again.

What does this mean? How can we be born again?

Thousands of years ago, a very intelligent and religious man asked Jesus that exact same question. Jesus gave him an answer that left him speechless.

Read John 3:1–20 silently, and let’s discover what Jesus answered him.

Now that we have read this, let’s answer the question again according to the passage:

• What does it mean to be born again?

• Through whom can we be born again, and how can we do it?

• What are those who are born again like?

• What is their response to the light?

As we saw in John 3, this is not simply about religion; it is about receiving a new and clean heart through Jesus.

The passage ends with a direct challenge: those who are born again do not hide in darkness. They do not hide their sin; they run toward the light of Jesus, toward God, the Father of lights, with honesty.

If you are living in darkness today or facing trials or temptations, do not be deceived. Come into the arms of God, confess your sins, believe in Jesus, and ask Him to make you born again today.

Live It:

• What things in your life have you started to consider normal that are actually gifts from God?

• Can a person receive many blessings from God and still live as if everything depends on themselves? Why?

• What difference should there be between a person who simply knows information about Jesus and a person who has been born again?

• If you have not yet been born again, would you like to be?

TRUTH TO REMEMBER!!

“God never leads me into sin; He always gives me a way out.”